The new special edition BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition puts a new angle on the BMW i model.

• Priced from £112,535 OTR.
• A limited production model offering more individuality to the already successful BMW i8.
• Top speed of 155mph, yet 59g/km and 113mpg.

First showcased as the Vision EfficentDynamics concept at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009, the production ready BMW i8 has gone from strength to strength with over 5,400 units sold in 2015 alone. 

With its clever hybrid drivetrain, the i8 boasts an output of 362hp and can also cover close to 22 miles in electric only mode. It also takes BMW’s EfficientDynamics philosophy to a new high, posting emissions of just 59g/km and a combined consumption figure of 113mpg in the process.

Model	Price OTR	Power Hp	Torque Nm	0 – 62mph Seconds	Top Speed Mph	CO2 Emissions g/km
BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition	£112,535	362*	570*	4.4	155**	49

*Combined system output       ** Electronically-limited

Available for a limited period only, the new special edition BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition puts a new angle on the immediately recognisable BMW i model. The paintwork, created exclusively for this sports car comes in a Protonic Red finish with Frozen Grey metallic accents. 

The colour scheme is complemented by BMW W-spoke 470 light-alloy wheels painted in Orbit Grey metallic with hubs painted in Aluminium matt and mixed-size tyres (front: 215 R20, rear: 245/40).

On the interior, the special edition i8 comes with high-class red double-stitching and exclusive carbon fibre and ceramic trims. The exterior and interior design of the i8 are heavily influenced by its LifeDrive architecture and pioneering BMW eDrive system, however its reinterpretation of established design features ensures it’s still recognisable as a BMW.

The structure of overlapping and interlocking surfaces also contributes to the unmistakable appearance of the BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition. This layering principle allows aerodynamic forms to be wrapped up in a progressively styled package, while powerfully formed wheel arches draw attention to the wide track of the BMW i8. The dihedral doors open forwards and upwards, adding intrigue to the sports car design of the BMW i8.

The BMW i8 was purposefully-designed as a plug-in-hybrid sports car offering agile performance, near 50:50 weight distribution and outstanding efficiency. It starts with an exceptionally lightweight and aerodynamically optimised body – including a passenger cell made from CFRP. It includes an advanced BMW eDrive drive system technology, a compact, highly turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and intelligent energy management to all come together to create an overall package that represents a new landmark in the EfficientDynamics development strategy.

The original i8 was also the first BMW production model to be powered by a three-cylinder petrol engine. This turbocharged unit is equipped with the latest-generation BMW TwinPower Turbo technology with high-precision injectors positioned between the valves, along with VALVETRONIC. This 1.5-litre engine in the BMW i8 develops 231hp and drives the rear wheels, while a maximum torque of 320Nm is available from 3,700rpm.

The car’s second power source is a 96 kW/131hp hybrid synchronous electric motor which sends its power to the front axle.  The motor develops 250Nm torque from a standstill.  As well as providing a power boost to assist the petrol engine during acceleration, the electric motor can also power the vehicle by itself with a range in everyday driving of up to 22 miles and a top speed of 75mph on electric power alone, drawing its energy from a lithium-ion battery.  The high-voltage battery has a liquid cooling system, offers a maximum usable capacity of five kilowatt hours and can be recharged from a conventional household power socket, at a BMW i Wallbox or at a public charging station.

The combustion engine and electric motor, battery pack, power electronics, chassis components, and structure and crash functions are arranged together in the aluminium Drive module, while the central element of the Life module is the 2+2-seater’s CFRP passenger cell.

The battery unit is positioned low down in a central position, helping to give the car a low centre of gravity and enhance safety accordingly. Indeed, the centre of gravity of the BMW i8 is less than 460mm from the ground, making it lower than any other current BMW Group model. And this, like the car’s almost exact 50:50 weight distribution, ensures excellent handling properties.

Dr. Ian Robertson, BMW AG Board Member for Sales and Marketing said: “The success of the BMW i8 speaks for itself, it is already the world’s most successful hybrid sports car and has comfortably exceeded our own expectations. I can think of no better illustration of the relevance of our young BMW i brand.”

The BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition will be produced at BMW Plant Leipzig from July onwards and will officially be on sale from September, 2016 priced at £112,535 OTR.

The vauxhall ADAM no comes with the R4.0 Intellilink System Infotainment technology as standard.

• R4.0 IntelliLink system available with smartphone integration
• IntelliLink touchscreen overview similar to smartphone menu
• Vauxhall OnStar turns ADAM into powerful internet on wheels

Vauxhall has introduced the latest-generation R4.0 IntelliLink system infotainment technology including smartphone integration to its stylish ADAM city car.

Following the introduction of the first-generation award-winning IntelliLink, this update promises to take individualisation even further, with an overview similar to a smartphone menu and the choice of well-known navigation including Apple Maps and Google Maps.

Vauxhall’s innovative OnStar is also now available on ADAM SLAM, S and ROCKS models, enabling personal connectivity and a service assistant while also becoming a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to seven mobile devices, even when abroad – with no additional roaming fees.

“The Vauxhall ADAM in all its variants is the perfect example of how much individuality and technology can be packed into a small car. And with the new smartphone-compatible IntelliLink system and Vauxhall OnStar, we boost our successful lifestyle city car onto a higher level,” said Stuart Harris, Vauxhall’s Head of Car Line Brand.

As usual, all this comes at very affordable prices: the infotainment system IntelliLink R4.0 is available for just £495 as part of the Technical Pack which also includes parking sensors.

The hardware for the personal connectivity and service assistant OnStar is free with ADAM SLAM, S and ROCKS while use of the Wi-Fi Hotspot is free of charge with all variants for the first 12 months following registration. This means private phone accounts are not charged, because those who connect their smartphones to OnStar enjoy free navigation.

IntelliLink R4.0

Praised for its clear seven-inch colour touchscreen, connectivity options via USB and Bluetooth for audio streaming and viewing photographs, videos and films or making a telephone call via the hands-free module – Vauxhall makes the latest generation of its IntelliLink system even more functional. The new IntelliLink R4.0, which made its debut at this year’s IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in the Astra, integrates the world of smartphones via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto into the vehicle.

Drivers and passengers simply need devices from Android 5.0 Lollipop and Apple iOS 7.1 (from iPhone 5). It is fast and easy: simply connect the iPhone or Android smartphone to the IntelliLink R4.0 via USB, and the Vauxhall infotainment technology immediately recognises the systems and adapts the smartphone interface to the seven-inch IntelliLink touchscreen.

Drivers can make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music right from the touchscreen or by voice via Siri, when it is safe to do so. Android Auto is built around Google Maps, Google Now and the ability to talk to Google, as well as a growing audio and messaging app ecosystem.

The Google Maps and Apple Maps navigation apps are easy to use: updates are automatically downloaded onto the phone by the respective provider, so the driver always has the latest map data online. Changing the size of the map section on Android Auto is simply done by touching the screen and pinching or zooming accordingly. Another advantage is that smartphone-based systems provide information on traffic conditions in real time along with possible points of interest – including the complete address, opening hours and further details. When a text message from services such as WhatsApp or Skype is received, Android users can have it read out loud to them so they can keep their eyes on the road.

OnStar

Vauxhall OnStar enables stable use of all internet-based services. The personal connectivity and service assistant with its special antenna turns the ADAM into a 4G/LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot. Up to seven mobile devices can be connected to the system at the same time – even abroad. No additional roaming fees are applied.

Vauxhall OnStar offers an all-round carefree package, with services including Automatic Crash Response, 24-hour Roadside and Stolen Vehicle Assistance and Vehicle Diagnostics to name but a few. The myVauxhall smartphone-app allows Vauxhall OnStar users to request help when away from the car, to open or close the car remotely or to access important vehicle data.